03/01/11 NVI Science Fair

Sam and Carly both participated in the Narrows View Intermediate Science Fair this year. Carly's project was comparing speed of a runner, someone on a scooter, and a bicycler.
Sam's project was to see which kind of wax melted faster: Regular, Palm, and Soy.

They came up with the ideas on their own, and just informed me on what they were doing. Science projects are traditionally "helped along" by the parents, but this year I wasn't even asked for my opinion. The impending Science Fair usually provides a lot of stress to my life, but I was able to relax and watch them work! (I only helped by printing pictures for their display boards, and helped time Carly's tests). So I watched them, and kept my thoughts for project improvements to myself. This was not an easy task!

I am a little relieved they are getting old enough to handle these things on their own! I'm sure the time will come when I remember with fondness those days of Science Fair volcanos, and plant projects. But, for now I'm breathing. Breathing. Go Science!

02/25/11 Snowboarding!

Gabe wanted to go snowboarding for his birthday again this year, so we bought him a snowboard (used) and a lift ticket for his birthday in December. He went for his birthday, then again in January. I'm glad he continues to enjoy it.

Today was their final snowboarding trip for the season-- Daniel took Gabe, Carly and Adam Lundquist up to Snowqualmie Summit. Carly got a snowboard lesson, and the boys hung out on the mountain together.

01-20-2011 My Younger Man is 40!

Happy Birthday, Daniel! So, now you're forty. I keep waiting for you to catch up to me, but I seem to keep aging, too.

The kids and I spirited Daniel away to Great Wolf Lodge for a nice weekend of relaxation and water-park fun. Waterpark, dining, arcade, and relaxation.

Daniel and the kids loved going on the raft and tube rides. Because of my knee problems, I couldn't go up so many stairs, but I loved being in the wave pool, and sitting in the hot tub!

Gabe and Sam's favorite spot was the wave pool.

12-31-10 New Year's Eve

Happy New Year!

Our stake celebrated the New Year by holding a bash at our YMCA - swimming, classes, climbing wall, volleyball, gymnastics, hot dogs, nachos, fruit. It was really nice to spend time with all the members of the Tacoma Stake. Sam hung out in the pool, Carly hung out with her friends doing everything, and Gabe paced himself on a treadmill in front of a TV. Daniel and I basically socialized with our friends. We really enjoyed being there.

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My New Year's Resolutions -- I say Resolution very loosely. Nothing is typed out and pasted to the refrigerator, or anything like that. But, I do think on the past year and resolve (maybe that's a better word) to do better in the coming year: Lose weight, become physically fit and be a more physically active mother, keep a clean house -- organized and purged!, show love more easily to my husband, pay off debts and spend money wisely, hold regular Family Home Evening, read scriptures as a family.

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Who knows? Maybe 2011 will the year for me to transform -- into MagnificentMom, WonderousWoman, and SuperSpouse. One can only dream.

Christmas Photos

So happy I didn't procrastinate taking the Christmas photos this year (well, I didn't wait until Christmas Eve Day, so that was an improvement over last year!).

Carly wanted to have a couple of Christmas Cards printed up just for her friends.

Here are her poses. She had to include her little sister and best friend, Rainbow!

Merry Christmas!